Sunday, December 20, 2009

For my second last found poem for 2009, I've returned to my diary from 1980, when I was in grade eleven.My high school years were wrapped around the Prince Andrew Chorus, and I still cherish my friendships which have continued from this sparkling time in my life.

We used to go caroling at Christmas time, heading towards the home of whomever hosted a party afterwards.

It took me all morningMost of the afternoonTo clean all the party mess away

Dad and Michelle had driven meUp to the portableQuarter after sevenThey'd come insideWe'd waited for everyone to come

I didn't mind it, thoughCleaning the party awayCleaning gave me the opportunityTo think about last night again

Last night Dad and MichellePiled all the munchies people broughtPiled them into the carAnd carted them home

Dad was laughing so muchLaughing at how crazy the portable isI felt so happyHappy to see him enjoy himself so much

We'd all set out at 7:30To sing our little Christmas songsIt was absolutely freezingI'd had two layers of everything on

Cleaning the party awayIt took me all morningI thought about last night again

We'd gone a little ways down SpikenardDown Farquarson and ShawiniganDown Guysborough and Mount Edward to KellyAnd then to my house

We'd sung two verses of one songThen We Wish You a Merry Christmas at every houseAt Ted's house whereWe'd gotten molasses candyAt this other house whereThey'd passed a box of Turtles among usWe'd sung a verse of O Come All Ye FaithfulBesides

We'd sung two verses ofJoy to the WorldUnder the carport at my houseMom had laughedAt all of us frozen carolersAs she stood in the doorway

Most of the afternoonIt took me to clean theParty away, but IDidn't mindI thought about last night

Everyone had piled inHad peeled their coats offMom had dished out theHot mulled wineI'd scurried to my bedroomI'd changed into my new dress

I'd dancedDancedDancedWe'd all gathered aroundThe piano

As people wrapped theirArms about each other toSing, how it made meAll warm inside

It took me all morningIt took me most of the afternoonI cleaned all the party away

I thought about last nightHow we'd all set outHow we'd sung our Christmas songsHow freezing it wasHow I'd worn two layers